Panasonic announces the availability of the Panasonic Wi-Fi phone for use with Skype, the world's fastest-growing Internet communications offering.

The KX-WP1050, an easy to install and use Wi-Fi Panasonic product, is one in a series of planned products that are Skype Certified. This new device uses Wi-Fi access to allow Skype users to make and receive free Skype-to-Skype calls, make inexpensive SkypeOut calls to landlines and mobiles worldwide, and receive SkypeIn calls from landlines and mobiles. With the included Wi-Fi base unit, the solution is simple to plug in and use, without using a PC.

"With the growing popularity of Skype and the mass availability of broadband in homes, offices and hotels, the KX-WP1050 will be a powerful communications tool for anyone who wants to take advantage of easily accessible and either free or inexpensive Internet calling," said Mike Timar, national marketing manager, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "This exciting product will enable greater flexibility in communications for both home and business users."

First and foremost, this product frees Skype users from their PCs, allowing the enjoyment of Internet calling in the home, office or other open Internet access points. Freedom from the PC helps to avoid missing calls from friends and family. The addition of the travel router makes it easy to take the Wi-Fi phone on the road. For example, business travelers can set up a Wi- Fi hotspot in their hotel room, as long as there is an available broadband Internet connection.

Skype-to-Skype calls will always be free. When combined with the new Skype Unlimited calling plan available in the United States and Canada, which allows unlimited calling to landline and mobile phone numbers in these two countries for just $29.95 for one year, the KX-WP1050 can significantly reduce everyday communication costs.

While the complexity of wireless network settings can make this type of product inaccessible to many users, Panasonic has improved the user experience by providing a complete kit, which can be set up and used by virtually anyone, even with little or no computer expertise. The included travel router takes the complexity out of setting up the Wi-Fi access point, and guarantees a secure wireless connection with automatic 256-bit AES encryption setup (WPA). The included leather travel case makes the entire kit easy to carry. The travel router can be plugged into a home, hotel or office network allowing the user to enjoy wireless access from a laptop and the Wi-Fi phone simultaneously with no complicated set up. The unit complies with safety and communications standards for the countries Americans visit most (Canada, England, France, Germany and Japan). The AC adapter is compatible with all voltages from 100V to 240V, so it can be used by simply attaching the AC plug (sold separately) for that country.

This new model offers the range and security of WPA encrypted Wi-Fi technology, as well as Quality of Service (QoS) to improve voice quality. It features easy menu-driven operation, and a loud handset speakerphone, as well as a built-in headset jack for those long international calls. At just 0.62" thick and weighing less than 4 ounces, the phone is convenient and easy to carry. The 730mAh Lithium-ion battery can provide up to a 55 hours standby time, and 4.5 hours talk time, and can be charged with the included travel router, or from a USB connection on a PC.

Skype features accessible by this phone include:

• Free Skype-to-Skype calling - with Skype, you can talk to any of the more than 171 million registered Skype users over the Internet for free.
• Online Presence - see at a glance which of your Skype contacts is available for a chat, and allow others to see your status as well.
• SkypeOut - an inexpensive way to call from Skype to traditional landlines or mobiles.
• SkypeIn - a premium Skype product which provides a number people can call that users answer in Skype.
• Skype Voicemail - takes your calls when you're busy or offline.
• Skype Call Forwarding - can be set right from the Panasonic phone.
• Skype Conference Calls - the Panasonic KX-WP1050 can be added to Skype conference calls.

The KX-WP1050 Panasonic Wi-Fi Phone joins the growing family of Panasonic Voice over IP (VoIP) products, including the recently launched Panasonic KX- TGA575S. The KX-TGA575S USB adaptor is an optional accessory for Panasonic 5.8GHz Digital Expandable Cordless Systems KX-TG5761S, KX-TG5771S, and KX- TG5776S. Using the adaptor with these systems means the user doesn't have to be in front of a computer. The user's Skype contacts and call log are available on any of the cordless handsets in the system.

The KX-WP1050 is available at the Panasonic online store and other internet retailers with a $399 MSRP. It will also be available in the Skype U.S. Web store at skype.com/shop. Go to http://panasonic.co.jp/pcc/products/en/wifiphone/.

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required for Skype and all Skype Certified devices and accessories. Similarly to Skype running on your PC, Skype in the Wi-Fi phone is not a replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling.